The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-22
BALDNESS.
Science.


 gently before the New York County Medical Society on badness and its treatment. He described four varie- tiee of badness or alopecia: 1. Alo- pecia adnata, the congenital form; ?. A. senilis is that form which occurs in old age, or after the age of forty five, and is often preceded or accom- panied by grayncss of the hair. Its cause is gradual hardening of the subcutaneous tissues of the scalp and "a diminution of blood supply, fol- lowed by an obliteration of the hair follicles. It is but one expression of that general lowering of nutrition in- cident to advancing years. When the scalp is atrophied nothing can be done in the way of treatment, but prophy- laXis may do a great deal in postpon- ing those changes.
 A. prematura is that form of bald ness which occurs before the forty fifth year. Of this there are two varieties, the idiopathic and the symptomatic. The former occurs most commonly between the age of twenty-five and thirty five, and is not due to any antecedant or concomi- tant disease. It differs from the senile form in occurring at an earlier age, and in being unaccompanied by oth"r signs of diminished physical vigor, such as loss of teeth, dullness of sight and hearing. The chief cause of this variety is heredity. Every one has known of families ill which the fathers and sons have become bald at @ very early age. Another cause is inn proper or deficient care of the scalp. It is a common practice for men to souse the head daily in water. Ellin- ger has noted this habit in eighty five per cent of his cases of badness. Thinkers and brain- workers are often very bald. Eaton found, in the audi ences attendant upon churches and operas in Boston, that from forty to fifty per cent of the men were bald; while in cheap museums and at prize lights the percentage was only twelve to twenty five. Stiff hats may cause badness by comprcssing the arteries that supply the scalp. Tight and un- ventilated hats make the scalp warm, and cause it to perspire, thus 1avoring badness. King says that badness of the vertex is due to compression by stiff hats of the arteries which supply that part. The little tuft of hair often observed on the top of the fore head is nourished by arteries which escape pressure.
 That women do not become bald so often as men is probably because they preserve the cushion of fat under the scalp longer than men do. They do not wear their hats as much as men nor are these so close itting, or made of such impermeable material. They also give more attention to the hair, and do not wet the head so often. Of all these reasons Dr. Jackson regards tine preservation of the fat and con nective tissue of the scalp, and the greater care of the scalp, as the most important.
 The treatment of this nature of badness is mainly one of prophylaxis and hygiene. In families where it is hereditary this should begin at birth and continue through life. The scalp should be kept clean by an occasional shampoo of soap and water, borax and water, or some such simple means. This should not be repeated oftener than once in two or three weeks and after the washing the scalp should be carefully dried, and vaselinc or sweet almond oil applied. Women should dry the hair by the fire or in the sun, and not dress it until dry The hair should be thoroughly brushed and combed daily, for five or ten minutes, with vigor sufficient to make the scalp glow. For this brush should have long and moderately stiff bristles, set in groups widely separated from each | other. Such brush will reach the scalp, and brush out the dust. A comb with large, smooth teeth should be used with the brush to open up the hair to the ar. Pomades should not be used, and the daily sousing of the hair discontinued. Women should not use bandoline, nor pull or twist the hair, nor scorch it with curling irons, nor smother it under false hair Easy fitting, light, and ventilated hats should be worn, and working under hot artificial light should be avoided. Mir. Gonidlock, writing on badness, in the Popular Science Monthly, gives it as his opinion that it is due principally to the high hat, and the hard felt hat, and to any other covering that constricts the blood ves- sells which nonrish the hair bulbs. Few, he says, will escape the evil effects of twenty or thirty years of rigid tight-titting hats; the de- structive process being delayed only by the length and frequency of respite from this tourniquet of fashion.
 Eastern Girl-"How enthusiastic